Replacing Vent Tubes

koffey25 · Post by **koffey25** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:52 am

I will be repainting some parts from my bike this weekend and in order to do so this I obviously had to remove them. This included the air box which I found to be a pretty complex process. In end I noticed the two vent tubes that lie between the 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th carbs were dry rotted. I then removed them and found this was the beginning of my trouble. Does anyone know of a way to replace them without separating the carbs...? And how important are these vent tubes in function? Can I get away without installing something exactly the same as the original?

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:35 am

The vent tubes are there to ensure that atmospheric pressure is equalised in the float bowls. They are high to prevent the ingress of water/ contaminants into the float bowls. Any Nitrile rubber tube of correct size will work. I have read of replacing the tee's without carb separation, Randaak or Mike Nixon ( plus some other guys) may advise....

daves79x · Post by **daves79x** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:14 am

You can replace the vent Ts with original Honda ones without separating the carbs. IF they are still available - not sure on that, but if they are they will set you back about $60. You cannot replace them with the aftermarket ones available (TIMS, Randakk) without separating the carbs, as far as I know. About the same price.

You really don't need any vent tube - you can just leave them off. Many guys on here don't run them at all.

Dave

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:24 am

Somebody, a while ago, somewhere had a picture story about replacing the tees without splitting the carbs. I remember it involved wooden sticks from ice cream bars

I tried it on a set of carbs that were off the bike and I found it at least as difficult as removing the airbox without tilting the engine. I run both CBXes, and will run a third one, without them

Randakk · Post by **Randakk** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:37 am

daves79x wrote:You can replace the vent Ts with original Honda ones without separating the carbs. IF they are still available - not sure on that, but if they are they will set you back about $60. You cannot replace them with the aftermarket ones available (TIMS, Randakk) without separating the carbs, as far as I know. About the same price.

You really don't need any vent tube - you can just leave them off. Many guys on here don't run them at all.

Dave

My reproductions can be installed without splitting the carbs. Not the easiest task...but it can be done. Mine are very faithful to the OEM geometry.

daves79x · Post by **daves79x** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:21 pm

Randall:
Sorry - I typed that note in a hurry at 5 AM. Should have checked your website to confirm fitment. Honda's and presumably yours really are not that hard to install without splitting the carbs, but it is markedly easier if the rack is off the bike. Thanks for the clarification.

Dave